Hiking Up Sugarpine Mountain: #Walkwithme

Sugarpine Mountain: It sounds like a destination on the Candyland board game.

In fact, it is on forest road 2N49 out of Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area.

Silverwood Lake is a part of the California Aqueduct, and drains into the Mojave River. The high desert community of Hesperia sprawls to the north.

I parked where the road forks, with Cleghorn Trail (and the PCT) veering to the right. From here, you can hear the trains tooting and see the clouds gathered up around the San Gabriels across Cajon Junction.

The first mile gained some elevation as it wound through thick chaparral. The road is well maintained, but lightly travelled. Animal trails dip onto it at regular intervals.

I wish I were a sleek furred fox, slipping twixt the briars.

Further along, a gated spur road lured me with its promise of privacy. The Live Oaks transformed it into a fairy tunnel.

Minus offroading traffic, this place became a deer superhighway.

I am saving that spur for a future out-and-back when I will park at its entrance.

Soon we approached a narrow saddle where my side of the mountain sucked all the clouds over. Water suspended in air poured like a billowing river.

The trees stretch taller and lusher where they are watered by the clouds.

Live Oaks put their hands in the air like they just don't care!

Sugarpines and Incense Cedars

As if this walk weren't lovely enough, these early wildflowers graced the embankment:

This section of the road is nearly flat, and deeply shaded. Exactly what I was looking for.

The huge old trees twisted themselves into elaborate shapes.

Root chakra

A serpentine tangle

D for Delight

Crack the whip

Up here, the game trails are no less evident. Carnivores love to claim their routes with a scent pile.

Brisket thrills to all of these wild smells!

Well, we made it to a rustic little campsite in the cedars. As it turns out, we were just 200 feet from Sugarpine Peak! If I had known, I certainly would have have bagged that beauty. Next time!

As the sun began to slant, Brisket and I turned around and half jogged into the sunset.

As we arrived at the truck, the lightshow really put on a grand finale. I made a separate post about it, but it belongs here.

9.7 miles, and 9.7 rating, I would say! I am very excited to explore this area more, and hopefully spend the night.

Thanks so much for joining Brisket and I on our hike. And big thanks to @lyndsaybowes for the globetrotting hashtag, #walkwithme. What a joy to see everyone's perambulations ;)

I love planet earth, and I love you!

Love,Cat
@creationofcare